Out: We’re losing jobs to ATMs. In: We’re creating jobs via robotics

posted at 2:08 pm on June 25, 2011 by Allahpundit

I’m not sure how to square this with this. Automation is bad for unemployment, except when it’s good for unemployment? Or full automation is bad, but partial automation is okay? Either way, it’s nice to see him talking up the job-creating benefits of technology.

I think he should run with it. Take over the ATM manufacturing industry, then massively expand it as part of a new jobs program. Coming soon: A cash machine every 100 feet, coast to coast.

Of course, there’s been a real debate about where to invest and where to cut, and I’m committed to working with members of both parties to cut our deficits and debt. But we can’t simply cut our way to prosperity. We need to do what’s necessary to grow our economy; create good, middle-class jobs; and make it possible for all Americans to pursue their dreams.

That means giving our kids the best education in the world so they have the knowledge and skills to succeed in this economy. It means rebuilding our crumbling roads, railways, and runways. And it means investing in the cutting-edge research and technologies that will spur growth in the years ahead – from clean energy to advanced manufacturing.

That’s why I’m here today at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, one of America’s leading research universities. Behind me is a display from a company called RedZone Robotics. The robots they make are used to explore water and sewage pipes, and find leaks and breaks before they become expensive problems. But the folks at RedZone aren’t just solving problems; they’re working with unions to create new jobs operating the robots, and they’re saving cities millions of dollars in infrastructure costs.

This company is just one example of how advanced manufacturing can help spur job-creation and economic growth across this country.

Addendum to the takeover idea: What about manually-operated ATMs? Instead of punching in a PIN and having a computer churn out cash, we could have a union member behind the screen counting out the dough and then pushing it through the slot. Good enough for the Fenway and Wrigley scoreboards, good enough for American banks.

Obama’s identified another vague generality that “sounds cool” especially at his Wednesday night parties and before the media.

Someone should ask Obama to define “robotics” in the specific sense he’s using the word (as to “jobs created by robotics”).

He’ll do a return-loop should anyone try to pin him down as to what he specifically means, like, say, recall that time he wandered into a money-counting room and there were these robotics whirring away at the bills…

So, that’s what those 10,000 new engineers are going to do, create robots. Will these robots operate on renewable batteries and have to be plugged in at night? Where’s the electricity going to come from since we won’t be drilling for oil. Does anyone in the media ever ask a follow up question of our dear leader.

It takes two people to created one person and one person with a desire to become a teller (3).

However, it takes a manager to make decision to install an ATM, the inventor/designer, a patent attorney to insure design is registered with the government, an electronics engineer to build the chips contained in the the machine, a computer programmer to instruct the machine, a technician to maintain the machine, telephone line technician to insure transaction transmission, and the teller to empty and refill the machine (8).

We have a President that cannot count nor understands the concept of job creation or economics, among many others.

However, the President alone can spend your money on everything he wants to without regard that our checkbook is empty, and can authorize unlimited printing of money to pay for it. .

We have been doing robotic inspections of sewer pipes for over 30 years. This is hardly innovation likely to create lots of jobs. This guy knows nothing apparently; he just reads whatever script he is handed.

As Barack Hussein Obama very slowly begins to learn what every American grade-schooler should know about how a free economy works…

Let’s also bear in mind what every high-school student should understand: Advances in technology make things more EFFICIENT. What this means is that a two-percent GDP growth is really a slight backslide in terms of employee productivity. And (this part is for extra credit), if you factor in population growth, the per-capita GDP (the only figure that matters to anyone who cares about the individual, and not just the collective) is not “sluggish” or “in danger of a double-dip” anything.

America’s standard of living since Obama took office has been going DOWN, at a steadily increasing pace.